Next Generation Sanitation Systems

Call for applications

As part of this initiative, we have issued a call for applications of technological solutions from organisations including for-profit companies, non-profit entities, university spin-offs, and public sector research institutions.

We anticipate that potential technological solutions may be at various stages of development, ranging from concept and laboratory scale to pilot and commercial readiness. It is important to note that we are specifically seeking non-biological sanitation processes and unit operations, that is, technologies that do not rely on biological mechanisms.

We are looking for bold, innovative technological solutions, from integrated systems treating all household wastewater (including greywater and blackwater) to impactful subsystems, ensuring affordability and adaptability for low- and middle-income countries. The solutions should meet international standards such as ISO 30500 or something similar. Selected solutions will receive financial support (from a shared pool up to $3 million USD) and tailored technical guidance, with the opportunity to participate in a collaborative workshop to refine and optimise the technology for real-world application.

This initiative tackles the critical limitations of traditional septic systems—such as performance gaps, environmental concerns, and missed opportunities for water reuse and resource recovery—by accelerating the development and deployment of modular or integrated sanitation systems.

Deadline for application: 22 May 2025

The Application Process

The NGSS Project’s application and selection process will take place in three phases: 

Phase 1 – Global Call for Ideas:
An open invitation for applications. Applications will be reviewed by a panel of experts based on innovation, feasibility, cost-efficiency, and robustness.

Phase 2 – Refinement Workshop:
Selected teams will be invited to a collaborative workshop to refine and optimise their technologies for real-world application and testing.

Phase 3 – Funding & Development:
Finalists (selected from among the Phase 2 group) will receive financial support (from a shared pool of up to $3 million USD) and tailored technical guidance to bring their solutions to market readiness by 2026.

Preparing Your Application

Before submitting your application, please ensure you have: 

• A detailed description of your technological solution, including its current TRL and MRL. 

• A proposed development pathway and alignment with ISO 30500 or other relevant or more stringent national and international standards.   

• A preliminary cost model and resource recovery plan, if applicable. 

• An outline of your IP strategy and freedom-to-operate analysis. 

• Review the Global Access principles. 

All these points are explained further below.

Assessment of applications

Applications for the Next Generation Sanitation Systems (NGSS) Project will be judged based on how developed, scalable, and effective the proposed technologies are at providing reliable and affordable sanitation solutions. Technologies should either meet the ISO 30500 standard or have a clear plan to meet it (or a similar standard). It’s also important that the solutions can be used in both wealthy and resource-limited settings. Other factors are mentioned below.

Key Factors for Selection:

Technology Readiness Levels

Technology Readiness Level (TRL) is a measurement system used to assess the maturity of a particular technology or innovation, from its earliest conceptual stages through to full-scale commercial deployment. 

Originally developed by NASA, TRLs help organisations and stakeholders understand how far along a technology is in its development lifecycle. Each level in the TRL scale provides a standardised description of progress, helping funders, developers, and regulators align expectations and plan next steps. 

For the Next Generation Sanitation Systems (NGSS) Project, Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) have been adapted to fit the water and sanitation sector. They range from TRL 1 (basic research) to TRL 9 (proven, working in real-world use). This helps applicants clearly explain how far along their technology is and what still needs to be done to get it ready for real-world use, no matter what stage they’re currently at.

You can refer to the adapted TRLs here:  Technology-Readiness-Levels_NGSS.pdf

Manufacturing Readiness Levels

Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) is a structured scale used to assess the maturity of a technology’s manufacturability, that is, how ready the technology is for consistent, reliable, and cost-effective production. 

Originally developed by the U.S. Department of Defence, MRLs evaluate critical elements such as process development, supply chain readiness, quality assurance, tooling, and workforce capability to ensure that a technology can be manufactured at scale. 

Within the Next Generation Sanitation Systems (NGSS) Project, the MRL framework has been adapted to address the specific challenges of manufacturing water and sanitation technologies. The scale ranges from MRL 1, where manufacturing concepts are still in early feasibility discussions, to MRL 10, where production is fully operational with continuous process improvements in place. This ensures that selected innovations are not only technically sound but also practically manufacturable for widespread deployment. 

You can refer to the adapted MRLs here:  Manufacturing-Readiness-Levels_NGSS.pdf

Freedom to Operate

Freedom to Operate (FTO) refers to the ability to develop, produce, and commercialise a technology without infringing on the intellectual property (IP) rights of others. It involves analysing existing patents, licences, and other IP protections to determine whether a product or process can be legally used in a given market. 

For the Next Generation Sanitation Systems (NGSS) Project, conducting an FTO analysis helps ensure that submitted technologies can be deployed globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) without legal barriers or the need for additional licensing agreements. A clear FTO position strengthens a technology’s scalability and long-term impact.